Hey all, I have just added a links page to my blog. I figured, since I have been sharing a lot of writing articles from the same sources, I might as well link the root page. These pages have articles on writing and publishing, or provide other resources for professional writing. I will still post … Continue reading Links Page
Author: JM Williams
Author, historian, teacher, veteran. A man full of stories.
Eight Simple Tips for Editing – WriteToDone
Here is a nice article on editing (and revision, which are not exactly the same thing). Most of the points here are good, though I do not follow them all myself--I don't read my work backwards for one. I also disagree that you should have a set number of words to cut in your mind … Continue reading Eight Simple Tips for Editing – WriteToDone
Character Arcs
Below is an article that discusses ways to use arcs and growth to deepen your characters. I agree with the points that Jason Black offers, but I would add that character arcs do not have to lead to an ending where the character "becomes a better person." Tragedy can be just as compelling. Some of … Continue reading Character Arcs
A Simple Trick That Makes Your Fiction Much More Sticky And Relatable
I have to agree with Victor here, though I would lean more towards the idea of being realistic with your writing and expectations, rather than idealism v. normalcy. You should always consider how realistic your characters actions are; this, of course, includes the way they talk and interact. There is a bit a leeway in … Continue reading A Simple Trick That Makes Your Fiction Much More Sticky And Relatable
Signs of a Past Life – 3LineTales
Storm Hamilton paced around the large dining room of the old country manor; he rarely came this far out of New London, but today the policework demanded it. The room was grandly decorated with sterling silverware and expensive china plates covered in dust, a finely embroidered and mold-stained table cloth, and decorative vases which held long rotted flowers--a … Continue reading Signs of a Past Life – 3LineTales
A New Story is Out! – NEW REALM vol. 05 no. 03
NEW REALM V05 N03 Ain't that some great cover art? And look at whose name is right up top--that's right, yours truly. I am very happy to announce that my story "Frithigorn's Birds" has been published in the newest issue of New Realm. If you like my writing--or even fantasy in general--I humbly urge you … Continue reading A New Story is Out! – NEW REALM vol. 05 no. 03
Perspective and Words – Writeworks
Here's another interesting article on the WriteWorks blog about perspective and how it affects the meanings of words. The word used as an example here is "home." What does that word mean to you? For me, living abroad, it has a dual-meaning. It is where I live, with my wife and cats, but it is … Continue reading Perspective and Words – Writeworks
The Oath – A Short Story
I usually don't comment on my own work, but this piece bears commenting. I really don't know what to think of it (read: gimme feedback!). I have not changed the text much from the original copy besides some basic editing and paragraphing (I didn't really know how to paragraph dialogue back then, but heck I … Continue reading The Oath – A Short Story
Unsated Instincts – Sunday Photo Fiction (01JAN2016)
Walls were usually there to keep people out, not in. The balcony door was sealed shut; Adalie couldn’t even step outside to feel the rain. Hugo, the shady butler, guarded the gates of the mansion, blocking her escape. It had been like this for more than a year. Adalie thought things would be different as a … Continue reading Unsated Instincts – Sunday Photo Fiction (01JAN2016)
When a First-Person Narrator’s Voice Just Doesn’t Jive
I've said it many times here, but it bears repeating: if you do not have a specific reason to write in first-person, don't. It seems the default impulse of many writers is to just write first-person no matter what. That is what's hip today, right? The problem is that publishers seem apt to take bad … Continue reading When a First-Person Narrator’s Voice Just Doesn’t Jive
JM Williams 